Chapter 45
Walking past Rydel's Cycles, May nodded to the man behind the counter, who was inspecting a damaged bicycle part. Seeing her, he sent her a wave in return, having fixed the bikes of May and Brendan many times over the years. He even managed to fix May's bike after Pikachu had attacked it, though her parents had had to pick it up for her.
She'd been reunited with that bike well after her travels with Ash, not even daring to take it with her Johto. If she'd damaged it over there, then she'd have no way to fix it.
Walking past one of the iconic sisters of Mauville City, May sent her a small smile as the familiar woman stood stoic at her post, greeting May with a curt smile. The four sisters stood at every entrance to Mauville City and acted as guides to lost travellers.
'I think they're over this way,' May muttered to Kenny, who nodded his head slightly, pressing his lips in a small, uncertain line.
'Let's see,' Kenny replied, his brows furrowed with uncertainty, his car keys swirling around his fingers as he walked.
With a grimace, May walked through the entry way which connected pedestrians to route 118.
Seeing a guitarist to her left, May blinked at his black overalls and tight black pants. He had a yellow guitar before him and was playing it intensely, his jelled yellow hair defying gravity as it stubbornly poked skyward. Upon seeing her, his lips curled in a scowl, though May yanked her eyes away as she heard a gasp from nearby.
'May, oh thank goodness you're here!' Dawn beamed as she rushed over to her, wrapping her arms tightly around the Johto born woman, who glanced apprehensively at Kenny. The man, in response, simply mouthed to May that she was on her own.
The Johto woman didn't have time to glare at the man in response before hearing an irritated growl from before them. Following the sound, May noticed Iris' angered eyes as she stomped towards the guitarist, snarling, 'will you stop looking at me like that? I've had enough of the creeps in this region!'
Blinking, May whispered, 'Iris?'
'She's been really angry ever since a man in the Crooner's Café said that she looked like an ice goddess. May, it was terrible! He gave her a Lapras and asked her to look after it for him because he didn't want it anymore! First, we were confused, like, who abandons a pokémon like that?' Dawn began, her eyes filling with tears as she thought about the lapras.
'But then he said that only Iris could look after his lapras. He said something about her icy aura meaning that she understands ice types better than anyone? I had to get her out of there before she exploded so I took the pokéball and ran,' Dawn whispered, her blue eyes glancing at Iris with vivid fear.
'Ice goddess? What was he, a skier?' May snorted as she recalled the skiers from her childhood in Johto, who were usually women dressed in pink ski gear.
Seeing Dawn smother a laugh of her own, May grinned as she realised that the Sinnoh woman knew precisely what she was thinking. Beside her, she could see Kenny frown in confusion, not having witnessed the fluoro pink skiers first hand.
'What's so funny? Do you think abandoning a pokémon like that is funny?' Iris hissed at the trio as she stomped forward towards them, leaving the wary guitarist behind.
'Nothing, and of course not!' May grimaced, waving her hands in front of her anxiously as she saw Kenny nearby bring a pained hand to his face at how unrealistic her acting was.
'Oh really? Then why does Dawn look like she's about to stop, drop and roll? Your aid doesn't look too innocent either,' the Unovan scowled, her maroon eyes glaring daggers at May.
'We were just discussing the man who gave you the lapras,' May hedged carefully as the Guitarist started walking towards them, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
'Oh, that monster! What am I meant to do with this pokémon? May, it's terrible! No pokémon should feel as unwanted as this one would! I can't make it shine, I don't have the experience and, frankly, I don't even know if I want to try with this pokémon,' Iris began, her voice shaking as she met May's gaze.
'I'm sure you know how I feel about ice types, and I don't even know this pokémon and why its trainer abandoned it. I want to help it, I really do, but I know I won't. If it was any other type, I would,' Iris cried as tears filled her eyes as she held the pokéball before her, her hands trembling.
'Hey, are you crying?' Dawn questioned as all of her mirth disappeared in a flash, realising just how upset Iris was. She shared a concerned glance with Kenny, who looked completely at a loss as to what to do.
Seeing her friend's lower lip tremble, May sighed before pulling the woman towards her, whispering, 'Iris, it's fine. I'll take the lapras from you if you're that worried about having an ice type in your team.'
'Really?' Iris questioned as she pulled away from her friend, her eyes wide with disbelief.
'Sure, and I'll try to find your creepy man to return it to him if you want?' May smiled as she rubbed her friend's arms soothingly.
'No, I don't think he wanted to keep the pokémon either. The poor thing deserves to be with someone that wants it,' Iris pouted as she stared at the pokéball in her hand. She was visibly shaken, her face paler than May had ever seen it.
'Well then I'll train it, and if you ever want it back, all you need to do is ask,' May smiled as she took Iris' hands in her own, hoping to ease how much they were shaking.
'Thank you May, but I have a lapras I want to catch. There's nothing wrong with this pokémon, just her trainer. I can't believe he called me an ice goddess. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal to you or Dawn, and I may have a better tolerance for ice types now, but I still don't like them. This Lapras will only suffer in my care because she'll remind me of her previous owner. She shouldn't be blamed for something that was out of her control,' Iris whispered as both Dawn and May stared at her in shocked silence.
Whilst the Sinnoh woman might not have much experience with the level of trauma that Iris had, May pressed her lips together. She knew how terrifying trauma left by a wild pokémon could be, especially if left unchecked. For Iris to have this reaction for one specific type was bad. Her friend had been adamant over the years that she'd never experienced anything negative with ice types, just that they were super effective against dragon types and that she didn't like the cold. However, May knew that the human mind could work in mysterious ways and she wouldn't put it past her friend to have experienced something but suppressed the memory.
For Iris's sake, May hoped she was wrong.
She could still remember the crippling fear she'd had of all pokémon for so long after her encounter with the wild tentacool.
'Iris, that was really perceptive of you,' Dawn responded gently as May simply held the pokéball in her hand, feeling the warmth of Iris' on her own. She couldn't look at Iris, not without revealing her own trauma.
'If you ever change your mind, just let me know,' May muttered to her friend as she withdrew her hand from the pokéball.
'No, I don't think I will. I saw a lapras before, one that was injured that I had to help. If I ever catch an ice type, it will be that particular pokémon,' Iris insisted as she wrapped her arms around herself.
'Well then, consider this lapras a welcome addition to my team,' May offered a giant grin as she saw Kenny glance from her to her friends.
'Excuse me, you can't just give away pokémon like that,' the guitarist scowled as he stomped towards them.
'And who do you think you are to meddle in our affairs?' Kenny snapped back as he held a protective hand on May's shoulder.
'I don't care about whose affairs I'm meddling in, I just want to see that pokémon be safe and happy. Playing pass the magical pokéball does nothing for this pokémon at all. I'll teach you a lesson about pokémon! Go, Whismur!' The man scowled as he released the small sound pokémon, who shook visibly at the attention of so many strangers.
Blinking, May saw her friends glare at him, going to reach for their own pokéballs, but this guitarist's criticism wasn't out of unwarranted concern.
She needed to think of a plan so they didn't attack the man by breaking the Pokémon League's rules. Going two against one was definitely breaking the rules, and Wallace and Steven would be very unimpressed with her for being friends with the duo who breached the rules. She had to stall for some time, her friends wouldn't attack anyone two on one.
Clearing her throat, May said, 'and to whom do we owe the pleasure, then?'
'The name's Dalton, I'm a solo guitarist who's helped out musicians all the way in Kalos. Not to brag, but I'm a pretty good musician, even if I do say so myself,' the man smirked, running a hand through his hair.
'Oh really? I've never heard of you before,' Dawn spoke thoughtfully, placing a finger on her lips.
'Dawn!' May hissed as she saw the guitarist's eye twitch.
'What? I'm always interested in things from back home,' Dawn blinked as Iris chuckled, 'what a kid, he still needs to brag about his accomplishments. Anyone who's made it is already wouldn't brag.'
'I beg your pardon?' Dalton frowned as May winced at her friends' behaviour. This wasn't going to help their situation.
'Isn't he such a kid?' Iris asked Dawn, who nodded in agreement.
With a sigh, May glanced at Kenny, who grimaced. They both understood the novelty of the guitarist's to the two younger women, but neither appreciated how they manifested it into their amusement.
'I'm the kid? You give away a pokémon like it means nothing and I'm the child?! Do you even understand the commitment behind raising a pokémon?' Dalton scowled as he glared at the two women.
'Yup,' Dawn smirked as she crossed her arms before her.
The man's eyes narrowed as Iris agreed, 'meddling in something that doesn't involve you is so childish.'
'Right, now that we've established that we agree to disagree, I think we should move on, don't you?' May hedged carefully as she sent a desperate glance to Kenny, hoping for his help.
'Yes, Lapras will be looked after by May, and that's all that matters,' Kenny grinned in a winning manner at the trio around them, though his smile faded when he noticed their flat stares.
'I agree, some things aren't able to be resolved by mere words,' Dalton scowled.
'Really?' May beamed as her sapphire eyes lit up with hope.
'Yes. I'll need to assess your abilities myself! Go, Whismur!' Dalton hissed before his pokémon let out an eager cry, its mauve colouring standing out against the green grass behind it.
Blinking as she found herself in the face of her father's speciality, May could remember studying the pokémon's move set late at night with her brother and father. The truth was that she knew more about pokémon than she let on, coerced into lessons by her father and over eager brother who hoped that her fear of pokémon would be diminished by knowledge.
Sure, she sometimes forgot the basics in the heat of battle, but she knew most moves and abilities of the pokémon in her area. It was only reiterated to her when her brother called her late at night to study for his ranger exams. She knew better than to let him know, though. He'd just tell her father who would remind her again that her talents were wasted in contests.
She knew he was happy for her and her pokémon, but Norman had always wanted her to follow in his footsteps as a trainer. To him, being a coordinator, whilst challenging, was nothing compared to the strengths portrayed between partners when competing against other trainers, maybe even helping them overcome difficulties.
Glancing at her pokéballs that were with her, May released her Wartortle as Kenny called out, 'this battle between May and Dalton will begin straight away. Both trainers are allowed to use one pokémon each with no substitutions.'
With a grimace, May realised that she was experiencing the journey her father had wanted her to experience as a young child. No longer afraid of pokémon, battling it out with strangers much like Ash had, May could see that being a trainer definitely had its own charms.
But it wasn't coordinating.
With a scowl, she barked, 'Wartortle, let's show him what we're made of. Ice beam, let's go!'
Hearing her pokémon call out his name, May bit back a smile as her opponent hissed, 'pound, followed by echoed voice!'
'Freeze its feet, then go into aqua jet!' May said as Whismur jumped forward, hitting Wartortle with a painful pound attack.
Watching Wartortle fall back, she let out a squeak before sighing in a relieved manner when Wartortle landed smoothly on his feet, grinning at the challenge.
May heard the loud vocal attack before she had time to register that the small pokémon ever opened its mouth.
'Wow, your Whismur sure is strong,' May beamed at the man, who blinked in response.
'She can keep up with my guitar at most of my concerts and does a mean backing vocals. It's good training for battles like this,' the man grinned back as both the pokémon stood by, waiting upon their next instructions.
'Wartortle, rapid spin combined with aqua jet!' May grinned, as she heard Dawn whisper to Iris about Wartortle's improvements since she'd last seen the pokémon.
Watching her bipedal pokémon coat himself in water, May grinned as he jumped in the air, spraying water everywhere, even on the watching trainers.
Unable to hold back a giggle, May grinned at her pokémon as he collided with their opponent, causing the normal type pokémon to fly against a nearby rock in shock.
Rather than be defeated, she jumped back on her feet and scowled her name.
'That's my Whismur,' Dalton chuckled as May grinned eagerly.
'Use astonish, Whismur!' The guitarist grinned as May heard Iris murmur about how eager both parties were to battle.
'All right, make it a combination with rapid spin and bubble!' May grinned as she saw the man blink at her words.
'Wartortle!' Wartortle grinned as he jumped into the air, retreating into his shell as it spun in circles.
Watching Whismur lean back so she could unleash the powerful shockwaves from her mouth, May scowled, 'now, Wartortle!'
Instantly, her pokémon unleashed his bubble attack as his shell collided with the normal type. Immediately, the normal type went flying, up in the air.
'Whismur!' Dalton hissed, his blue eyes widening in shock as he jumped up to follow his pokémon.
'Go, Blaziken, catch that pokémon!' May cried as she released her fire and fighting dual type.
The bipedal glanced at her once before jumping on his powerful hind legs, capturing the small normal type in his arms, holding her close to his chest as he landed before them.
'I'm so sorry for getting carried away!' May gasped as Kenny called out, 'Whismur is unable to battle, May wins.'
'That's all right, I suppose I got carried away too for thinking I could dictate what you do with a pokémon you receive from your friends. Your pokémon are pretty strong,' the man chuckled as he scratched the back of his head nervously.
'Do you honestly think I'd give my pokémon to just anyone? I'm completing my studies for the Opelucid Academy where I'll take over from Drayden,' Iris scowled at the man, who blinked in surprise.
'You're taking over the Opelucid gym in Unova and wouldn't take in a pokémon given to you?' The guitarist scowled at her, causing her to flush slightly.
'Hey, there's no need for that attitude, she knew her limitations when looking after pokémon,' Dawn defended her friend as May shared a disbelieving glance with Kenny. There seemed to be no peace from the fighting in their little group, then.
'What's that meant to mean?' Dalton hissed as he took a step forward, his injured Whismur all but forgotten.
'Just that—she knows in her heart that she can't give this lapras the best care it needs. Iris is standing up for what she knows is right for the pokémon, is brave enough to admit her flaws and entrust her friends to offer her the support she needs. Besides, I can't see you doing any of these things,' Dawn scowled back as May pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to think of a way to diffuse the situation.
'And how can you be sure that she'll give Lapras the care it needs?' Dalton insisted before jabbing a finger at May.
'Hang on a minute,' May squeaked, her eyes widening as she tried to think of a way to change the topic of discussion.
'Are you having a go at May?' Iris hissed, her maroon eyes narrowed in anger as even Kenny looked on in anger.
'No, he doesn't mean that!' May squeaked, her cheeks flushing as she sent the man a pleading glance.
'No, I did. Sure, her pokémon were strong, but how do I know she didn't pay someone to train them? She doesn't look like someone who'd actually train her pokémon to be that strong to me,' Dalton insisted as Blaziken growled angrily, Wartortle standing by his side, crying out in pokémon language.
'Guys, it's ok!' May squeaked as she jumped in front of Dalton, hoping to find a distraction whilst defending the man.
'No, May, now isn't the time for your pacifist behaviour! Don't let him of all people belittle you, especially after you won against him!' Dawn hissed, her cheeks flushed with an anger as she dug her perfectly manicured nails in the palm of her hand.
'Yeah, why would you tolerate what he says with everything you and your pokémon have achieved?' Iris agreed, crossing her arms and arching an eyebrow as Kenny stepped forward, placing a hand between the two women and May.
The man's face was downcast before he raised his black eyes to glare at Dalton behind May's shoulder.
'Leave this to me, Dawn and Iris,' the man said, his voice unusually cold before he turned his cold glare on May, sending a shiver of fear down her spine.
In all the years she'd known Kenny, she'd never seen him look this pissed off.
'May, I've known you since you moved to Petalburg, and I've seen you do some unreasonably daft things to avoid conflict. You pretended to tolerate pokémon for years even though you were obviously scared. Then you went out on your journey much later than others because you didn't want to worry your parents anymore. Don't you think your family and I saw through your lies? You never left to become a trainer, and we all knew it. Sure, I didn't see your struggle when you were around Hoenn, but I spoke to Max every day as he tried to continue the guidance that Norman initiated,' Kenny began, his voice low with anger.
'Don't you dare let this interfering prick undermine you and everything you have achieved. You're a fully-fledged coordinator, an accomplished trainer with amazing pokémon and an even better gym leader. Norman, no, your family and I are proud of you. I've never seen Brendan be so eager to battle anyone, and I was there when he battled Norman. For the love of Groudon and Kyogre, don't let one guitarist on a side route undermine you and everything you've fought for,' Kenny glowered at the woman, who stared at him in wide eyed disbelief.
Growing up with Kenny, she'd never heard him speak with such conviction. She couldn't take her eyes off of her aid before the man continued, 'if you let him say such things to you, then I may just have to resign from my position. You are mistaken in the way you let everyone walk over you. You have a great talent with your pokémon, and are always progressing much better than any of the other trainers I have seen. Don't throw away your father's legacy, and don't throw away my faith in you.'
Feeling her bottom lip tremble as she tried—and failed—to keep the tears out of her eyes, May lunged forward, tackling the man to the ground as she let out a sob. She felt nauseating gratitude flood through her at the man's empowering speech.
'K-Kenny! I'm so sorry! You're completely right, I can't just let others make fun of me! I have a duty to you and everyone else to make sure that everything is ok! You shouldn't have to discipline me like this! I'm so sorry, Kenny! You mean so much to my family and I-I promise I'll keep it all together and I won't let anyone ridicule me again!' May choked out as the man smiled and wrapped his arms around her torso, chuckling as she muttered apologies to the man.
'Come on, May, as if I'd just walk away from everything you and Norman have done for me,' the man chuckled as his face flushed.
'You're May, daughter of Norman?' Dalton whispered, his face paling considerably.
Kenny simply grinned up at the man as both Blaziken and Wartortle pushed past the humans to reach their trainer, grinning widely as May continued to apologise to her close friend.
'Kenny that was so sweet!' Dawn beamed at the man as Iris simply smiled at him.
'I didn't know you felt that way,' May whispered to her friend, who simply scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
'Well you're practically family to me, May. I can't let strangers talk down to you like that,' Kenny blushed as Dawn crooned, 'he's so nice!'
'Yeah, I'd ship them if he hadn't just declared they were family,' Iris pouted, crossing her arms bitterly before glancing thoughtfully at Dawn.
Realising their friend was watching her, Dawn hissed, 'you can't go expecting my Kenny to behave like that—he's bound to be more like Dalton.'
'Hey, what's that meant to mean?' Dalton scowled as May clambered off her friend awkwardly, helping him up eagerly.
'Just that you're not exactly the friendliest guy on this route,' Kenny scowled at the man as he brushed the grass from his body.
'Well you didn't exactly offer me a good first impression with all your yelling,' Dalton argued bitterly, crossing his arms.
Realising that nothing was going to change, May hurriedly interjected, 'I'm so sorry, but we have business to attend to in Mauville City. I'm sure we'll see you around, Dalton, it was a pleasure to meet you. Come on, let's head back!'
Hurriedly stepping ahead, May recalled her Wartortle as Blaziken waved to the whismur near the guitarist, whose eyes were narrowed in disdain.
Kenny didn't wait twice before rushing after the gym leader, not even meeting the man's eyes as Dalton stared at May in disgusted disbelief.
A/N:
Oops, I mislabeled this chapter, I'm so sorry! I was too scatterbrained last week, hopefully it doesn't happen again haha
I really wanted to add more depth to Kenny the gym aid :)
We should be back to regular scheduling from next week on.